If an existing password is encrypted with a machinekey that is different from the
current (or now missing) machinekey in web.config, the error: Index was outside
the bounds of the array will occur.
The above image illustrates this exception as it is displayed in the Change
Password panel of the Membership Manager control but it may also be displayed for
the Reset Password Panel And Change Question and Answer Panel as well.
The exception is thrown by the Asp.Net SQLMembershipProvider when it encounters
a machineKey which appears to be different than the one used to encrypt the password.
The Membership Manager Control will prevent you changing a password from
Hashed
or
Clear to
Encrypted unless you have a machineKey section in
web.config. There is nothing to prevent you from changing or deleting the machineKey
section in web.config, however, and doing so will destroy your ability to recover
encrypted passwords.
Important
If you plan to use Encrypted passwords, be sure to make a backup copy of your original
machineKey data as it is the key to decrypting passwords.
If you do get yourself into this predicament, our Support Department may be able
to suggest a procedure for resetting your membership's passwords without losing
other membership data
Related Topics
The Membership Manager Control
Membership Manager Configuration
Asp.Net SqlMembershipProvider Settings
No MachineKey Specified when resetting Password